Black Canyon City, Arizona is located in the southern tip of Yavapai County. We're nestled in the foothills of the Bradshaw Mountains just 26 miles north of the Phoenix city limits on Interstate 17. Black Canyon City has smog-free, sunny weather throughout the year.

Elevation is approximately 2,000 feet (1000 feet higher than Phoenix). Winters are mild with just a bit more rain than Phoenix. Summer highs often reach over 100 degrees, but the humidity is usually low. Most evenings cool off nicely as cool breezes roll off the Bradshaws at sunset.

Black Canyon City is an unincorporated community of almost 4000 people. The town is comprised of many self-owned businesses. A large percentage of the residents are retired. Many others work in Phoenix, but choose to live outside of the city congestion and pollution. The growing community provides opportunities for either starting or expanding businesses. Black Canyon City continues to attract many winter residents.

Approximately 260 students attend elementary and junior high schools in Black Canyon City. High school students either take the bus to Mayer about thirty miles northwest, or to Barry Goldwater High School in north Phoenix.

The town features churches representing several denominations, and many clubs and organizations which schedule activities throughout the year. These organizations include the Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce and Tourist Office, Filthy Five, V.F.W. and Auxiliary, Rock Club, Girl Scouts, Brownies, Little League, Culture Guild, A.A.R.P., A.A.A., Kiwanis, and the Black Canyon Community Association, Saddle Club.

Black Canyon City has a post office, library, two community parks, cemetery, fire district, and rescue squad (ambulance and helicopter available). The medical center is open five days a week.

Local businesses include gas stations, auto repair shops, beauty salons, hardware store, variety store, barber shop, auto parts store, insurance agencies, gift shops, travel agency, real estate offices, bank, motel, apartments, RV parks and campgrounds , restaurants, saloons, grocery stores, mini swap meet, laundromat, computer professionals placement and typing services, feed store, nursery and several gift shops. Black Canyon City has two water departments, one is privately owned and one is owned by its' users.

Our community has been known by several names: Agua Fria District, Goddard, Canon, Rock Springs, Black Canyon and present day Black Canyon City. References to Rock Springs by the military have been found dating back to the 1860's when cavalry troops stopped at this popular watering spot while traveling to Fort Whipple and Fort Verde during Territorial days.

Our canyons are natural passes through and to the upper plateaus and mountains. The Woolsey Trail in Black Canyon was named after King Woolsey, an early settler who is credited with bringing in the first wagon in the mid 1860's. However, the best known trail became the Black Canyon wagon road and stage line. As early as 1872, a stage stop on the Agua Fria River and Jack Swillings Ranch served the area. Stagecoach service between Phoenix and Prescott continued until 1917, much later than most other areas. Stage stop owner Charles Goddard, was appointed the area's first Postmaster in 1894, at his place on the southeast bank of the Agua Fria River.

The Agua Fria Canon School was established in 1898 and the name was shortened to Canon School. A few of the early day students still reside in Black Canyon City.

Early documents and interviews with old timers verify that farming began in approximately 1872, by Jack Swilling who grew vegetables and Jeff Martin who grew alfalfa and vegetables. From 1931 to the late 1950's D. J. Albins raised a variety of crops including cotton, celery, maize, and commercial flowers.

Cattlemen frequently camped in Black Canyon City from 1912 to the 1030's, while driving cattle down from northern Arizona, along the Agua Fria to their final destination in Phoenix.

Electricity was brought to Black Canyon City in the 1920's for the Kay Copper Mine, ( a tailing dump which can still be seen on a slope west of town.) Ben Warner supplied groceries and other goods to the mine and it's 300 workers from a business he started in 1920, now known as the Rock Springs Store and Cafe. The Kay Mine ceased operation in 1929. By the 1960's, land development and highway construction replaced most of the agricultural areas. Interstate 17 was completed during the 1960's. Interstate 17 links our town with some of the great wonders of this state. We find most of the spectacular parks are just a short drive away.

Here are just a few links to other nearby areas:
Prescott, AZ
Camp Verde,
HotBot
American Craft Malls
Fine Art Links
Before you leave, please sign our guestbook, we'd love to hear from you. Black Canyon City.
Arizona Highways
Crown King Pictures, Just 20 miles north of Black Canyon City, for a different experience try visiting Crown King in the winter. No crowds, plenty of good views, friendly natives.

more links